
Jersey Battle of Flowers 2025 still in doubt
'Debts to pay'
Chairman Russell Labey says they hope to have a final decision in the coming weeks."We have debts to pay and that is an absolute priority, but we think we have a pathway to do that. "We have to decide very quickly, because flowers have to be ordered, whether it is feasible to do battle in 2025."
The event's website still has this year's event advertised for 8-10 August.A number of exhibitors and supporters have formed the Battle Strategy Group, which hoped to ensure the summer carnival does go ahead. Alexis Marett, from St Helier Battle of Flowers, is among the exhibitors keen to see it happen."There's a lot of work needs to be done to get this year's Battle on and we will hopefully get one this summer, and if not, we'll have one at Christmas. "But there are other issues as well as well, it's not just funding."Another meeting is due to be held next month so organisers can make a final decision about the 2025 event.

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BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Jersey government to give £160k in funding for Battle of Flowers
Jersey's government will give nearly £160k in funding for this year's Battle of Flowers, despite the event making heavy losses last year. Economic Development Minister, Deputy Kirsten Morel, has asked his chief officer to approve the funding request of £158,750. There were doubts the event would happen this year following last year's overspend of about £150k, but free smaller parades organised by a breakaway committee will be held in St Helier's town centre, instead of a large event on Victoria Morel wrote: "I have considered the balance of risks and it is my judgement that a grant to the event organisers is necessary in order to enable a Battle of Flowers Parade in 2025." Deputy Morel said: "It is the role of Ministers to consider the wider balance of risks and take into consideration the broader economic and social imperatives".He admitted there was "significant overspend" last year and the government "does not have an established relationship" with the new the Minister described the Battle of Flowers, which was first held in 1902, as an "iconic event" and "an important fixture," which "brings Islanders together." Battle is due to be held on the 8 and 9 August, and the parades will be free to watch.


ITV News
13-06-2025
- ITV News
Minister urges Jersey's tourism sector to modernise following 'disappointing' visitor figures
Jersey must modernise its tourism sector to bring back visitors, that is the stark warning from the island's Sustainable Economic Development Minister. Deputy Kirsten Morel believes the industry is going through a changeover period - the latest official statistics for the first three months of this year show the number of travellers arriving through Elizabeth Harbour dropped by nearly a third, while air passenger levels were stagnant. He explains: "Flat air figures are disappointing as we were hoping to see increases. On the sea figures, it's not surprising we're seeing a temporary transition as the two ferry companies switched over. "We need a level of modernisation across our industry on attractions, hotels, marketing, across the board. We have the right natural aspects to our heritage which are highly sellable but we do need to modernise the way people interact with them." Tricia Warwick, Chief Executive of Visit Jersey, agrees and wants the island to be bolder in promoting events that can have a wider appeal. She says: "We have some great community events, Battle of Flowers and the Air Show, but they're not big enough reasons for people to visit Jersey. We need to get on that map with some annual events, I think we could take the Jersey Marathon on the road internationally and we could own a really exciting food festival. "We are down compared to where we would like to be. When you look at other destinations that rely a lot on the UK market, Ireland is 9% down from UK visitors and that's a big market for them, so this is not a lone position for Jersey. "We have other issues around airlines, ferries, transition etc but the market is tough out there, it's really competitive." Deputy Morel adds that more recent sea passenger numbers appear to have recovered since the changeover from Brittany Ferries to DFDS was completed in late March, while he has had discussions with the airline Blue Islands about their recent delays and cancellations. He says: "We want air transport that we can rely on, that passengers feel will leave and arrive on time and won't be cancelled. What we've seen in the past few months has had an impact, I've spoken to the airlines involved and they've assured me that we should see that stop as we go through June. "As we head into the high season, which is the important part, I'm hopeful that we've got the air transport on a steady footing." Tricia also highlights the importance of reliable travel links. She explains: "That transition from Brittany to DFDS has, of course, caused a problem and now we're having to combat that with offers and marketing to readdress the balance going forward." Tricia says there are opportunities to build Jersey as a vibrant destination through private and public funding, with the new owners of the War Tunnels looking to upgrade their facilities and £110 million plans to develop Fort Regent. Deputy Morel adds: "What's really important is people are looking at Jersey and see a buzz here. The proof of that is we have five applications for hotels and self-catering businesses, which include international brands, and that's a huge vote of confidence. "The opportunity's here, we will deliver on that in the medium to long term, what we also need to do is make sure that this year works for our hoteliers. It's been a soft start to the year but one we can definitely build on." The Ports of Jersey has also just signed a new five-year deal with airline Jet2, with direct flights to Paris expected soon.


BBC News
20-03-2025
- BBC News
New smaller Jersey Battle of Flowers 'will return to its roots'
A breakaway committee set up to try and save the Battle of Flowers says a smaller, free version of the event is to go ahead with support from a government grant. Martyn Maguire, who leads the Battle Strategy Group, said: "We're going to take battle back to its roots, but we're not going to over-step ourselves... simply because we can't afford it."Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel confirmed that up to £220,000 was available, contingent on a "good business plan".He said: "Having a battle which is constrained in terms of its funding will enable people to focus a lot harder, stick to their budgets a lot better, and create a battle which people will be really proud of and enjoy." Earlier this week, accounts for the Battle of Flowers were leaked, showing significant 2024, there was a deficit of more than £150,000 on top of a loss in 2023 of more than £80, week also saw the Battle Strategy Group meet with Morel and exhibitors to try and find a way forward for the event. Martyn Maguire confirmed there were plans to stage the event in August as normal, with a day parade on Friday 8 and a night parade on Saturday 9. 'Debts need settled' He said: "We are getting close to getting battle out of the woods."Obviously debts need to be settled. Battle does have some assets - we're going to use those to secure against the debt, and then hopefully we'll get that behind us, but it's going to take time."We're only going to spend what we've got. We know what we're doing. We've got a lot of very experienced exhibitors on the team."We're going to take battle back to its roots. We're going to put on a really good parade with lots of things in the parade, but we're not going to over-step ourselves... simply because we can't afford it". Speaking to the BBC, Morel said all parties were working together to find a way to hold a said: "It won't be the main type of parade down the avenue, but something through town on a smaller scale, using junior floats and the smaller floats."I'll only give that money on receipt of a good business plan. And so that's the next stage for the group involved is to create that business plan and bring that forward. "What we're talking about is a much smaller event, a free event, and one I think that could help to reinvigorate the battle and that feeling of bringing it closer to the community." In a statement, the current Board of the Jersey Battle of Flowers said it remained "committed to working with stakeholders to resolve outstanding financial obligations", and that it "fully supports the Battle Strategy Group as it takes the reins in planning future battle events".